beep when key in ignition and driver's door open

[Abeness]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low power relays, in case I go nuts?

 

[motsco_ _]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low power relays, in case I go nuts?

Alarm companies use delay timers for things like panic exits and they are fairly low-current. Install a touch button that's a one-shot into the timer, and set it for five or twenty minutes (or whatever) to jump out the door contact. Power the timer off the ACC so you don't drain the battery when key is out.

'Curly'

 

[Alex Rodriguez]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low power relays, in case I go nuts?

You can just push the button on the door jamb that causes the buzzer to sound. Just cut a small block of wood that fits between the open door and the button. Very simple and it does not involve messing with the electrical system in your car.

 

[a]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low power relays, in case I go nuts?

Roll down your window (s)?

 

[Randolph]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

So, I'm trying to figure out how best to deal with this. On the one hand, I could simply disconnect the piezo buzzer, but that would completely disable the key alert, which can be useful in avoiding locking the keys in the car, so perhaps I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-)

Where the heck is the buzzer? And anyone know of a source for very low power relays, in case I go nuts?

The buzzer is in the Integrated Control Unit, ICU, which is plugged into the back side of the fuse box. It has a connector plugged to the back of it. This connector has 2 wires that are BLU/WHT. One of these wires are at the end of the connector, the other is the second one in from the other end. The one at the end is the wire from the key-in-ignition switch. Cut this wire, and the key-in-ignition alarm is disabled.

On mine (also a '94) the beeper does not work with the ignition "on", only in "off" and "acc". So, couldn't you just either remove the key or turn the ignition on?

If you want the beeper to not work with the ignition to "acc", it can be done with a simple automotive relay (must be the 5 pin kind, 4 pin ones don't have the 87a terminal. Terminal 85 to ground (I have used the mounting bolt for the fuse box for ground for other circuits), terminal 86 to options connector #5 (rightmost one in the photo at http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph/Civic/options.jpg). Cut the BLU/WHT wire mentioned above. The end that goes to the ICU goes to terminal 30 on the relay, the end that goes to the key-in-ignition switch goes to thermal 87a.

Now the beeper will only work with the ignition off. This circuit will draw current only with the ignition to "acc" or "on".

 

[DC]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily.

I don't know if the 94 Civic works the same way as 2001 Civic, but if I turn the ignition to the ON position rather than ACC, it stops beeping after 5 seconds.

 

[Imminent Vengeance]

I don't know if the 94 Civic works the same way as 2001 Civic, but if I turn the ignition to the ON position rather than ACC, it stops beeping after 5 seconds.

My '93 Accord works in the same manner, except there is no delay--unless the beeping during this delay you speak of is actually your seatbelt reminder.

 

[DC]

My '93 Accord works in the same manner, except there is no delay--unless the beeping during this delay you speak of is actually your seatbelt reminder.

Yeah, it's probably the seatbelt reminder. In any case, Abeness, I think this would be a lot simpler than hacking the buzzer. =)

 

[SoCalMike]

94 Civic EX. I find it quite annoying that the alert that sounds when the key is in the ignition and the driver's door is open apparently can't be turned off easily. There are plenty of times that I want the door open while listening to the radio, and that infernal beep either drives me bananas or, more likely, I'm forced to shut the door.

and/or open the window.

my blaupunkt will stay on for an hour with no key in the ignition if i push the "on" button. then it shuts off.

 

[Burt Squareman]

94 Civic EX....I want the door open while listening to the radio, and beep , I'm forced to shut the door.... I could install a switch in the line to disable it when I want. If I wanted a fail-safe means of ensuring that it went back on when the ignition went to position 0, I suppose I could rig up a relay mechanism, but that would burn the battery up faster and would probably be overkill... ;-) <snip>

Use a swinging "J" hook on a string. Slam door and J hook falls away from door switch by force of gravity.

 

[disallow]

I have my radio hooked up to constant power. Its
and aftermarket with removeable face, and I did this in order to keep from forgetting to remove the faceplate.

But it also will play without a key in the ignition.

t

 

[MAT]

Yeah turn your ignition to ON, no beep and you can run fan and windows, duh. Disadvantage, dummy lights on dash, and reverse light burns if parked in R.

 

[Abeness]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I don't like to leave the ignition in the on position because I don't like keeping the fuel pump and engine systems powered on or the dash lights burning--OR allow the fan to run in case I forget to turn it off and burn up the battery quickly.

A block of wood is an interesting idea, but I have no idea how that J-hook suggestion would do it as described.

I'll have to give this some more thought. Block seems easiest.

 

[Burt Squareman]

Thanks, everyone, for the suggestions. I don't like to leave the ignition in the on position because I don't like keeping the fuel pump and engine systems powered on or the dash lights burning--OR allow the fan to run in case I forget to turn it off and burn up the battery quickly. A block of wood is an interesting idea, but I have no idea how that J-hook suggestion would do it as described. I'll have to give this some more thought. Block seems easiest.

Also keep thieves from stealing the car. The block of wood is an idea but tends to get smash to pieces. But, it's a simple, single part. The "J" hook I pointed out works only for the L type switch. What ever type of switch, what you want is to be able to reuse the wood, flexible plastic or whatever object you can find to jam in the switch to keep it latch. Tie that to a string so that if the switch is pushed in any slightly the object will fall off to be reuse again.

The other method is to unplug or unscrew the 2-pin connector on the ignition cylinder. Then attach a spare key to a magnet. Hide the magnet/key inside the steel fender if you don't want to lock yourself out. ((The key has to be filed off a tumbler or so near the handle for the car can't be started but able to open the door. (The ignition has, say, eight tumblers but door has five-six.))

 

[Abeness]

The block of wood is an idea
but tends to get smash to pieces. But, it's a simple, single part. The "J" hook I pointed out works only for the L type switch.

I had to look at the switch to respond--for the 94 Civic configuration, neither a block nor a J-hook would work, as the button is at the bottom corner closest to the latch, not in the hinge, where a block would be perfect. But, it looks like a large clip would do the trick--e.g. a jumper-cable-sized clip. I'll continue to mull it over--this isn't a terribly urgent issue now that it's getting below 35 around here... ;-)

Then attach a spare key to a magnet. Hide
the magnet/key inside the steel fender if you don't want to lock yourself out. ((The key has to be filed off a tumbler or so near the handle for the car can't be started but able to open the door. (The ignition has, say, eight tumblers but door has five-six.))

An interesting idea, though inadvisable here in New York City. Even if I were to file off the appropriate portions, I don't really want to give anyone ideas.

Anyway, do you have a reference (preferably with pix) to exactly which portions of the key should be filed to disable ignition without disabling the door lock?